This book describes advanced research on the structures and photochemical properties of polyatomic molecules and molecular clusters having various functionalities under cold gas-phase conditions. Target molecules are crown ethers, polypeptides, large size protonated clusters, metal clusters, and other complex polyatomic molecules of special interest. A variety of advanced frequency and time-domain laser spectroscopic methods are applied. The book begins with the principle of an experimental setup for cold gas-phase molecules and various laser spectroscopic methods, followed by chapters on investigation of specific molecular systems. Through a molecular-level approach and analysis by quantum chemical calculation, it is possible to learn how atomic and molecular-level interactions (van der Waals, hydrogen-bonding, and others) control the specific properties of molecules and clusters. Those properties include molecular recognition, induced fitting, chirality, proton and hydrogen transfer, isomerization, and catalytic reaction. The information will be applicable to the design of new types of functional molecules and nanoparticles in the broad area that includes applied chemistry, drug delivery systems, and catalysts.

Takayuki EbataProfessor, Department of Chemistry, Hiroshima UniversityTakayuki Ebata received his Ph. D. degree from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1981 under the direction of Prof. Ikuzo Tanaka. He was appointed as a research associate in the department of chemistry in Tohoku University in 1981, and promoted as an associated professor in 1993. From 1984 to 1986, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University. His award includes the subsidy from Morino Foundation (1990), Takaoka Citizen’s Award (1997), Award for Scientific Measurements (1998), The CSJ award for creative work (2008), Award of the Spectroscopical Society of Japan (2016), Award of Japan Society for Molecular Science (2016), 75th Chugoku Shimbun Cultural Award (2018), and The Chemical Society of Japan Fellow (2019). He has devoted himself in the development of nonlinear laser spectroscopy of molecules, clusters and functional molecules in the gas-phase under cold condition.

Masakaki FujiiProfessor, Tokyo Institute of TechnologyMasaaki Fujii received his Ph. D. degree from Tohoku University in 1988 under the direction of Prof. Mitsuo Ito. He was appointed as a research associate of the department of chemistry in Tohoku University in 1985, an associated professor of Waseda Univesity in 1993, a professor of Institute for Molecular Science in 1997 and was promoted as Director of Laser Development Center for Molecular Science in 1999. In 2003, he was appointed as a professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology (current position). He stayed in Cornell University in 1988 as a visiting scientist of US-Japan collaboration program. He has been awarded two major prizes from the Chemical Society of Japan (Award for Creative Work in 2014, Award for the Young Chemist in 1992) and the highest prize of The Spectroscopical Society of Japan in 2015, and five other prizes for his scientific achievements. He has been developing multicolor laser spectroscopy for structure and dynamics of polyatomic molecules, molecular clusters and biomolecules in gas phase.